Dubbed “Clean, Old-Fashioned Hate,” Georgia has controlled this rivalry since they halted Georgia Tech’s three-game winning streak in 2001. Georgia’s 31-23 win may not have been the cleanest, but it was one for the record books. The win gave Georgia its 29th straight win, setting a new SEC record. Georgia Tech performed an impressive Saturday night performance, being a thorn in Georgia’s side throughout the game. Yellowjacket offensive coordinator Buster Faulkner showcased his skills against his former team. Faulkner, who spent the last three seasons as an offensive quality control assistant for quarterbacks at Georgia, made quite an impact since moving to Atlanta. Before we look at the record and what’s next, here are a few key takeaways from Gerogia’s win.
Georgia’s Win over Tech
Milton and Lovett Step Up
Georgia was without Tate Ratledge, Ladd McConkey, and Brock Bowers Saturday night. The moves were precautionary and an effort to ensure that Georgia is healthy and ready for their matchup next week against Alabama in the SEC Championship. The Bulldogs have an embarrassment of riches, and two seniors helped to lead the way on Saturday night. Kendall Milton had one of the best games of the season. It seemed he was at the second level and on the verge of breaking a big run each time he touched the ball. Milton has played a secondary role this year to Dejaun Edwards, but tonight he shined. He finished the game averaging 8.8 yards a carry and two touchdowns on the night. Milton iced the game with a key first down late to put the game away.
Dominic Lovett maintained his reliability for Carson Beck, stepping in for the injured McConkey and Bowers. Lovett hauled in five receptions, including a crucial early touchdown that evened the score for Georgia early. Lovett’s catch came after a ball appeared to bounce off his foot into the hands of a Yellow Jacket defender. The play was overturned when the replay showed the ball bouncing off the ground before hitting Lovett’s foot. Lovett has turned into one of Georgia’s most reliable receivers this year.
.@carsonbeck01 finds @dominiclovett2 for a 29-yard TD.
Watch live on ABC#GoDawgs pic.twitter.com/zgi4i6jkEY
— Georgia Football (@GeorgiaFootball) November 26, 2023
The Defense Bends But Doesn’t Break
Georgia found themselves on the losing end of the turnover battle. This marked the third time in the last four games that they have come out on the short end of the turnover margin. Georgia Tech seized an early opportunity with an Edwards turnover, converting it into six points and securing an early lead. By mixing running and passing plays, Faulkner showcased excellent playcalling by keeping Georgia off balance. Yellowjacket quarterback Haynes King introduced an element that Georgia appeared unprepared for in the early stages.
Georgia Tech did an excellent job running the ball all night. Tech finished the game with over 200 yards, and King added two rushing touchdowns. Looking ahead to next week’s opponent, Alabama, Saturday’s game raises a few red flags. Jalen Milroe is a dynamic runner for the Tide. If Georgia cannot contain him, it could make Saturday night win and record a bit hollow.
Georgia’s 2023 Records
Georgia clinched its 12th consecutive victory at Bobby Dodd on Saturday night, but the standout number was 29. The win propelled Georgia past Alabama, securing the longest winning streak in the SEC. Alabama’s record was set twice, from 1978 to 1980 and 1991 to 1993. In addition, Georgia stands as the sole SEC team with an 8-0 record in three consecutive seasons during SEC league play. This streak dates back to the 2021 SEC Championship, where Georgia lost to Alabama.
While the records are nice, their significance will quickly fade unless they secure a win next Saturday against the Tide. However, Georgia entered the season fully aware of this reality. Their mantra, “Better Never Rests,” underscores its ongoing pursuit of excellence. It’s time for Georgia to turn it up to 11 for their postseason run. We’ll take a look this week in our SEC Championship preview and also look at the possibility of two SEC teams in the College Football Playoff.
